Cyber FlashCards

10 of the weirdest primate species

#5

what is thIS PRIMATE'S common name?
PHILIPPINE TARSIER
Known locally as mawumag, magô, and mamag.
What is the scientific name?
Carlito syrichta
​WHAT KIND OF PRIMATE IS THIS?
PROSIMIAN
...although, because they are so unique, there is on-going debate about whether they should be categorized with monkeys. 
Where do they live?
As their name suggests, Philppine tarsiers are native to the Philippine archipelago. Populations of these small primates are primarily found in the southeast portion of the archipelago—notably the islands of Bohol, Dinagat, Siarago, Maripipi, Samar, Leyte, Basilan, and Mindano. They are endemic to these islands and found nowhere else.
Picture
Asia
Where Philippine tarsiers live. Map: Christopher Sundita/Creative Commons
New world or old world?
OLD WORLD
fascinating facts
  • Philippine tarsiers are among the world's smallest primates
  • Nocturnal, they are built to see, hear, and hunt in darkness
  • Large eyes are fixed in place. They turn their heads like owls to see what is beside them.
  • Hairless ridges ears detect even slighted insect movement
What threatens their future?
Philippine tarsier populations are decreasing. The main threat they face is habitat loss. Philippine tarsiers require a very specific type of habitat, which limits their potential liveable range. In addition, they are hunted by humans and sought after as pets. However, they typically die in captivity. Philippine tarsiers also have a high rate of infant mortality rate, which, coupled with low birth rates, poses additional problems for their population stability.
​WHAT IS their CONSERVATION STATUS?
NEAR THREATENED
What Does this Conservation Status mean?
Near Threatened (NT) – Likely to become endangered in the near future​
Any species categorized as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable is considered by conservation scientists to be a threatened species
​HERE'S A SNAPSHOT AND THE SPECIES' PROFILE
Click or tap on the graphic to enlarge it
​LEARN MORE ABOUT PHILIPPINE TARSIERS Monkeys
Go to the Philippine tarsier Primate Species Profiles page
are philippine tarsiers good pets?
NO
  1. Philippine tarsiers die in captivity. They have very specific dietary and environmental needs that cannot be supported in captivity.
  2. Primates are never domesticated. They always remain wild. 
  3. Caged primates are very unhappy and frustrated. They are likely to resist confinement. They are quick and cause damaging bites and scratches. Some die as a result of their captivity.
  4. Many locations have strict regulations that prohibit trading in or keeping primates and endangered species are pets.
  5. Philippine tarsiers belong with other tarsiers in the Philippines. They and their habitats must be protected, not exploited.
#PrimatesAreNotPets
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​Common names are not officially defined. They are based on everyday conversational language and may differ by country, region, profession, community, or other factors. As a result, it is not unusual for a species to have multiple common names.

Scientific names, on the other hand, are standardized and constant. They are Latinized and rule-bound by a formal naming system called binominal nomenclature. Scientific names prevent misidentification. They typically only change if a species is officially redesignated.
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The biological order of Primates is divided into these classifications:​
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​​New World monkeys are native to Central and South America.

Old World monkeys are native to Africa and Asia.
Learn about the differences between New World monkeys and Old World monkeys
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  • ​Extinct (EX) – No known individuals remaining.
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW) – Known only to survive in captivity.
  • Critically Endangered (CR) – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
  • Endangered (EN) – High risk of extinction in the wild.
  • Vulnerable (VU) – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
  • Near Threatened (NT) – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
  • Least Concern (LC) – Widespread and abundant.
  • Data Deficient (DD) – Not enough data to assess the species' risk of extinction.
  • Not Evaluated (NE) – Has not yet been evaluated.
Learn more about ​Conservation Statuses
Copyright © New England Primate Conservancy 2019. You may freely use and share these learning activities for educational purposes. 
​For questions or comments, e-mail us at info@neprimateconservancy.org.
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